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Dear all,
As you can see, I am still trying to get my head around all the issues concerning IC, particularly in light of the fact that I am meeting Dr. B in about a weeks's time! I was told by my GP and uro-gynae. that it is extremely rare - is this actually the case? I don't know anyone else with IC - the reason why I ask is to do with why we are having to seek out our own treatment. I guess that if it's actually really rare, then no-one would be interested in researching it or ploughing money into the condition. Do you think that this is why it's so under the radar - or are more sinister forces at work such as sexism (most urologists are male, no interest or understanding in this type pf women's condition, etc. etc.)?
Hey there - my feeling is
Hey there - my feeling is it's actually reasonably common, just underdiagnosed. Since finding out I have it myself, I discovered that the woman sitting next to me at work used to have it (she's more or less asymptomatic now) and my second cousin has it as a result of an op for endometriosis! Went out for my sister's hen do tonight, and she (sister) told me that one of her friends who was there has something that sounds like IC - repeated UTIs, not going away with ABs. Also knew someone else (distant friend) who had what her dr called "chemical cystitis" for a year and a half on and off (went away when she broke up with useless boyfriend apparently). So in conclusion! I think it's more common than we think ...
Yes, very common.
I know some alternative health practitioner's believe overactive bladder is actually the same thing as IC, just not as severe. If that is the case, considering 17% of women and 16% of men have OAB, it is much much more common than previously thought. I had one doctor diagnose me with OAB, and one with IC. So I can see how they can be intertwined. Of course, than you add in prostatitis and other urinary disorders that fall in the same category of symptoms as IC, and you have a crisis on your hands. Of course the mainstream medical field will never look at it this way. The more disorders you have, the more drugs you can market, the more money you can make. I think years from now people will read about our healthcare system and think "holocaust" because of the way we kill ourselves with procedures and drugs. Sorry, going off on a rant!
I agree. The forst thing
I agree. The forst thing people say to me is "what are you taking?" and they don't mean probiotics. It is such a different mentality and one that Pharma has a truly vested interestin maintaining.